Trustworthy Obstetrics Care When Every Minute Matters [Lauren Doyle]

I am Lauren Doyle. I am from De Smet, South Dakota. I am 25 years old, stay-at-home mom, and a full-time college student. So me and my husband Brad have three kids, two girls, Ryan and Brooklyn, and then our youngest son and his name is Cameron. 

Why did you choose Brookings Health System for your OB care?

I chose Brookings Health System for my OB care because from my past pregnancies I felt very heard and listened to. The doctors and nurses always took their time explaining things, answering all of my questions. And that trust that I had from my previous pregnancies made it easier to come back here.

How was your pregnancy care?

My pregnancy started off pretty straightforward, but as it progressed I did start to face some complications. I started having some physical complications along with a lot of anxiety due to previous pregnancy losses. It was a bit stressful, but I always felt like I was in great hands. The team at Brookings Health System was incredibly proactive, whether it be extra monitoring, answering all my questions. And I never felt like I had to face any of these challenges alone.

What complications did you face?

In the beginning of my pregnancy I got diagnosed with chronic hypertension, which is high blood pressure. And then as my pregnancy progressed, I started getting more and more symptoms such as severe headaches, vision changes, high blood pressures, even though I was medicated, and that led to a diagnosis of severe preeclampsia.

How was your preeclampsia diagnosed?

So I ended up coming into triage to be checked out, and that is where my OB, Dr. Abele, met me in triage. They ran some additional tests. And then she actually talked to a maternal fetal medicine doctor, and they collaborated together, reviewed my history, looked at the symptoms that I was having, looked at my tests. And then they decided together that the diagnosis of superimposed preeclampsia with severe features was what I had. 

What was your preeclampsia treatment plan?

Together they confirmed the diagnosis of preeclampsia and decided that it was safer for the baby to come out than for me to continue the pregnancy. Between the time of official diagnosis and delivery was less than 24 hours.Dr. Abele was amazing at talking me through everything, talking to me about the risks and the benefits of having a baby early. It was a huge relief to know that the decision was made with both of the doctors' expertise, and that they also took my opinion into consideration as well. 

How did your doctor reassure you your baby would be safe arriving early?

Dr. Abele was incredibly reassuring when it came to the fact that our baby was going to be delivered early. She assured us that because he was measuring above his gestational age, that there was a little bit of hope that he wouldn't have to be transferred, that I wasn't even going to need the steroid shot to help his lungs develop because that he was so big. She also explained that the resources here at Brookings Health System, such as the eNICU, would come in handy if we needed some additional support.

How did the team support your birth plan?

The team was very attentive and respectful to the birth plan that I had wanted. They made sure to listen to everything that I wanted, and were always asking if they could make anything better. Even in moments when things didn't go as planned, they made sure to explain the reasoning behind any changes. It was very reassuring to have the clear communication with my team. They always made sure that I felt like I had a say in every decision, whether it be pain management, moving throughout the room, any kind of decision.

How was your baby cared for in the first days after arriving early?

The care team had everything that they needed to make sure that the baby was able to thrive outside of the womb. After he was born, since he was early, they did extra blood sugar checks, they were monitoring his oxygen, his heart rate, and then any other vitals that they deemed necessary at that point. 

How did it feel staying close to home with the level II nursery and eNICU?

Having my baby stay with me here in Brookings was a huge relief versus having to be transferred to a NICU. I had a lot of anxiety about the outcome of delivery just regarding my previous pregnancy losses, so it really did mean a lot that Dr. Abele was very confident in Brookings' ability to care for an early-term baby. 

How did the staff care for you and your baby?

The staff was so attentive and caring. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was their top priority. The nurses and team members who looked after me and my baby were absolutely amazing. They were very attentive and their kindness was very evident in all of the cares that they provided.

How did your doula work alongside the hospital staff?

Ellie was an essential part of my labor and delivery. This is the second time that I've had her as a doula. The first time, I was her very first labor and delivery patient, and so it was definitely a good feeling to have her back knowing that we both had a little experience under our belt again. Ellie communicated openly with the nurses and Dr. Abele to make sure that we were all on the same page of what I wanted for a birth to look like, and you could tell that they all respected each other's positions. There was such great synergy between Ellie and my care team.

How did the staff help when you experienced a hemorrhage?

So, a hemorrhage is definitely a medical emergency, and it has the potential to be traumatizing and chaotic, but the team at Brookings acted very quickly, and professional, and very calm. Had I not done a little research on my own, there would have been the potential for me to be scared, but the team was very reassuring, and they were very open to communicate with me. When I started feeling a little off right after delivery, I asked a couple of questions and they answered immediately. Their calmness and professionalism helped me process what I had experienced. And so when Lindsay, the OB nurse, came in to talk to me the next day to go over everything that had happened, that helped me to start recovering emotionally and physically.

Why was it meaningful that your OB nurse cared about your emotional health?

It was important to me because it shows how much your labor and delivery nurses truly care about you. They're not here for just a baby, they're also here for the mom. 

How has your postpartum recovery been?

My postpartum recovery has gone really smooth. The care didn't stop after delivery. We brought our son in multiple times for newborn visits, and Dr. Abele and the nurses were checking in on me as well, making sure that I was feeling good, and answering any questions that I had.

What advice would you give expecting mothers?

My biggest piece of advice if you're feeling anxious would be to reach out to your nurses and your doctor. They are there to help you. You do not have to face anything alone. Make sure that you're asking questions. 

What would you say to someone considering Brookings Health for delivery?

I can't recommend Brookings Health System enough. The care that you receive is personalized and full of passion. 

Why would you recommend Brookings Health System?

The dedication that Brookings Health System has is more than just delivering a baby. They make sure that you feel heard, you're taken care of. You're not just a patient, you're another person, which really sets Brookings Health System apart.

Are you one of Brookings Health System's grateful patients who would like to give back to us? Learn more about how you can give back at brookingshealth.org/MyThanks.